The practice of dentistry includes the ability to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or operate for any disease, pain, deformity, deficiency, injury, or physical condition of the teeth, jaws or adjacent structures.

In order for a dentist to administer any of the different levels of anesthesia the dentist is REQUIRED to have a permit. A separate permit is needed for each location where the dentist will be administering anesthesia.

Dentists can be licensed by either "examination" or "reciprocity". These terms are specific to this state, so please read the requirements below:

To qualify for licensure by examination you must:

Graduate from an accredited school or college of Dentistry;

Pass the licensure examination Part I and Part II given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) with a score of 75 or above on each part of this examination;

Pass an acceptable licensure practical examination. The Nebraska Board of Dentistry has determined that the following examinations will be accepted* for Dentistry license applications completed between September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2014 (a passing score for each examination is determined by the respective testing agency):

Note: The Department will retain a list of acceptable licensing examinations for 5 years as an administrative reference for applicants who do not apply for licensure during the same year the examination is completed. *Acceptable examinations will be updated by September 1st of each calendar year.

Pass a jurisprudence examination that relates to the statutes that govern dentistry with an average score of 75% or above;

Have good moral character and have attained at least the age of majority (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2101. All persons under 19 years of age are declared to be minors, but in case any person marries under the age of 19 years, his/her minority ends); and

Official transcript from an accredited school or college of dentistry showing graduation from the school or college;

Official documentation of the scores obtained on Parts I and II of the licensure examination given by JCNDE;

Official documentation of the scores obtained on either the CRDTS, WREB, CITA or NERB examination; NOTE: NERB examinees must request that NERB send their scores directly to our Department. All other regional exam scores are automatically sent to the Department.

Fee of $165, unless you are applying within the 6 months prior to the expiration date of the license, which is March 1,of odd years, then the fee is $41.25.

Copy of a birth certificate, marriage license, driver’s license, or other valid verification of age.

The Department shall act within 150 days upon all completed applications for licensure.

To qualify for Licensure by Reciprocity:

An applicant who is licensed as a dentist in another jurisdiction may apply for licensure by reciprocity if the applicant meets the following requirements:

Graduated from an accredited school or College of Dentistry;

Passed the licensure examination Part I and Part II given by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) with a score of 75 or above on each part of this examination;

Passed an examination requiring demonstration of the applicant's skill in clinical dentistry;

Passed a jurisprudence examination that relates to the statutes that govern dentistry with an average score of 75% or above;

Have actively engaged in the practice of dentistry or in an accepted residency or graduate training program for at least 3 years in which one of those three years was within the least three years immediately preceding the date of application for licensure;

Provided proof of 15 hours of continuing education that meets the criteria for approval by the Board during the 12 month period preceding the date of application for licensure;

Official transcript from an accredited school or college of dentistry showing graduation from the school or college;

Official documentation of the scores obtained on Parts I and II of the licensure examination given by JCNDE;

Official documentation of the scores obtained on either the CRDTS, WREB, CITA or NERB examination; NOTE: NERB examinees must request that NERB send their scores directly to our Department. All other regional exam scores are automatically sent to the Department.

Fee of $165, unless you are applying within the 6 months prior to the expiration date of the license, which is March 1,of odd years, then the fee is $41.25.

Copy of a birth certificate, marriage license, driver’s license, or other valid verification of age.

Documentation sent directly to the Department from the licensing agencies of all jurisdictions where the applicant is or has ever been licensed.

Documentation of being actively engaged in practice of dentistry or in an accepted residency or graduate training program.

Evidence of completion of 15 hours of acceptable continuing education with the preceding 12 month of the date of application.

The Department shall act within 150 days upon all completed applications for licensure.

Examination Requirements

The Nebraska Board of Dentistry has determined that the following examinations will be accepted* for Dentistry license applications completed between September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2015 (A passing score for each examination is determined by the respective testing agency):

Note: The Department will retain a list of acceptable licensing examinations for 5 years as an administrative reference for applicants who do not apply for licensure during the same year the examination is completed. *Acceptable examinations will be updated by September 1st of each calendar year.

These forms may be completed online, however, they cannot be submitted via e-mail due to the fact that all applications and forms require original signatures. If you complete the form online, you must print the form and mail it to the address below.

Dentist renewal: All initial licenses issued by the Department shall expire on March 1 of each odd-numbered year. There are three license status choices:

Active Status –means the licensee can engage in the practice of dentistry in the State of Nebraska.

Inactive status-means the licensee shall not engage in the practice of dentistry in the State of Nebraska. A license that is placed on inactive remains on that status until such time as the license is reinstated. In order to move a license from inactive to active status, an individual shall complete a reinstatement application, pay the renewal fee, which is in effect at the time he, or she wishes to reinstate the license and meet additional requirements as specified by regulation.

Any licensee who wishes to renew his or her license must:

Meet continuing education requirements;

Pay the renewal fee of $165.00; or

Place the license on inactive status.

First Notice. At least 30 days before March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the Department shall send a renewal notice which includes an affidavit for continuing education and an application for waiver of continuing education to each licensee at the licensee's last place of residence as noted in the records of the Department. It is the responsibility of the licensee prior to the renewal period to notify the Department of any name and/or address changes.

The Department may refuse to renew a license for falsification of any information submitted for renewal of a license. Such refusal shall be made pursuant to NAC §§ 38-144, 185 through 189, and 196; and NAC §§ 38-144, 185 through 189, and 196; and NAC §§ 4-108 through 114; and NAC §§ 4-108 through 114.

Audit of Continuing Education. The Board may biennially select, in a random manner, a sample of the license renewal applications for audit of continuing education credits. Each licensee shall be responsible for maintaining in his/her personal files such certificates or records of credit from acceptable continuing education activities. Licensees selected for audit shall be required to produce documentation of his/her attendance at those continuing education activities listed on his/her renewal application.

The Department will send to each licensee selected for audit a notice of audit.

When selected for audit, the licensee must provide satisfactory documentation of attendance at or participation in the acceptable continuing education activities listed on the licensee's sworn affidavit.

Failure to comply with the audit may be grounds for non-renewal of the license.

Waiver of Continuing Education

The Department, on the recommendation of the Board, may waive the continuing education requirements, in whole or in part, for any two-year license or for the period of time when a licensee submits documentation that circumstances beyond his or her control prevented the completion of such requirements.

Such circumstances shall include situations in which the licensee:

Has been in the service of the regular armed forces of the United States during any part of the 24 months immediately preceding the license renewal date; or

Has been first licensed within 24 months immediately preceding the renewal date.

To request an address change, you can contact Office of Medical and Specialized Health at (402) 471-2118 or e-mail at dhhs.medicaloffice@nebraska.gov. If you wish to change your name on your Licensure Unit record, you must mail a written request with your signature notarized along with a copy of the legal document verifying name change to:

Duplicates: A duplicate large license or small license card may be requested at the time of initial licensure. A $10.00 fee, per document, is required.

Reissue: A large license and/or small license card may be reissued when the licensee requests: additional documents; replacement of original document(s) due to loss, mutilation or destruction; or replacement of document(s) due to a name change.

To request a reissued license, you must submit a request for reissuance, and include a fee in the amount of $10.00 per document. Submit said request to:

The Board of Dentistry advises the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health on all issues related to the regulation of Dentistry. Board member composition and length of terms follows:

Membership:

6 Dentists (2 must be faculty members of the 2 dental colleges)2 Dental Hygienists2 Public Members

Length of Term:

5 years, no more than 2 consecutive full 5-year terms

Professional Requirements:

Been actively engaged in practice of his/her profession in the State of Nebraska, under a license issued in this state, for a period of 5 years just preceding his/her appointment

Public Member:

Be a resident of this state who has attained the age of majority;

Represent the interests and viewpoints of consumers; and

Not be a present or former member of a credentialed profession, an employee of a member of a credentialed profession, or an immediate family or household member of any person presently regulated by such board.

To request either a certification or verification or your license to be sent to another state licensing agency, send your request in writing along with the proper fee to the our office. Checks should be made payable to DHHS, Licensure Unit.

Certification

Fee - $25.00

Certification includes:

Name

Profession

License number

Issuance date

Expiration date

Whether the license was granted by examination, waiver, or reciprocity

Examination information, if available

Whether disciplinary action has been taken against the license. If so, the type(s) and date(s) of the action will be included.

SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services

Verification

Fee - $5.00

Verification includes:

Name

Profession

License Number

Expiration Date

Department Staff Signature

A verification does not include the SEAL of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services nor information relating to discipline, school, or examination.

The Licensee Assistance Program (LAP) is an assessment, education, referral, case management, and monitoring service designed to help licensees, certificate holders, and registrants of the State of Nebraska work through substance abuse/addiction problems.

The LAP services are free. However, in some cases treatment from a community resource agency may be needed. If further assistance is needed, the LAP Coordinator will help refer the Licensee to the most appropriate agency. When a treatment referral is made, those expenses become the responsibility of the Licensee.

What activities must be reported by a licensee, certificate holder, or registrant? Every credentialed person who has first-hand knowledge of unlicensed, illegal or unethical activities is required to report (includes self-reporting) within 30 days of the occurrence. Failure to report may result in discipline. To view additional information relating to mandatory reporting, click on the options below:

Every credentialed person who has first-hand knowledge of unlicensed, illegal or unethical activities is required to report (includes self-reporting) within 30 days of the occurrence. may result in discipline. To view additional information relating to mandatory reporting, click on the options below:

Mandatory Reporting shall not apply:

to the spouse of the person,

to a practitioner who is providing treatment to such person in a practitioner-patient relationship concerning information obtained or discovered in the course of treatment unless the treating practitioner determines that the condition of the person may be of a nature which constitutes a danger to the public health and safety by the person's continued practice, or